No More Learning

"Well, it is said that you are not easy to get the better of. You will
agree we have had our hands full with you. "

The face of the usurper expressed the satisfaction of self-love.

"Yes," said he, with a glorious air, "I am a great warrior. Do they know
in Orenburg of the battle of Jouzeiff? [65] Forty Generals were killed,
four armies made prisoners. Do you think the King of Prussia is about my
strength? "

This boasting of the robber rather amused me.

"What do you think yourself? " I said to him. "Could you beat Frederick? "

"Fedor Fedorovitch,[66] eh! why not? I can beat your Generals, and your
Generals have beaten him. Until now my arms have been victorious.
Wait a
bit--only wait a bit--you'll see something when I shall march on
Moscow? "

"And you are thinking of marching on Moscow? "

The usurper appeared to reflect. Then he said, half-aloud--

"God knows my way is straight. I have little freedom of action. My
fellows don't obey me--they are marauders. I have to keep a sharp look
out--at the first reverse they would save their necks with my head. "

"Well," I said to Pugatchef, "would it not be better to forsake them
yourself, ere it be too late, and throw yourself on the mercy of the
Tzarina? "

Pugatchef smiled bitterly.

"No," said he, "the day of repentance is past and gone; they will not
give me grace. I must go on as I have begun. Who knows? It may be.
Grischka Otrepieff certainly became Tzar at Moscow. "

"But do you know his end? He was cast out of a window, he was massacred,
burnt, and his ashes blown abroad at the cannon's mouth, to the four
winds of heaven.